Lincroft Presbyterian Church Receives Seventh Annual Recertification

By: Community Magazine | March 8, 2024 |  Local |  Lincroft

Seven is Our Lucky Number!

Lincroft Presbyterian Church Receives Seventh Annual Recertification 

as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation

[Lincroft, NJ] – March 2024 – Use energy-efficient lighting, upgrade a heating system, use ceramic dishes and flatware rather than single serve plates and plastic flatware and plant pollinator friendly gardens. These small daily tips are among the many reasons the Earth Care team at Lincroft Presbyterian Church received its 7th annual recertification as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program.  

The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden, which LPC has done throughout the 15.4 acre property at the corner of West Front and Everett Road and beyond.

To become an Earth Care Congregation, this congregation affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental justice practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach. The Earth Care Committee put their words into action:

• provided cleaning supplies, holiday gifts, clothing and food donations for the Bayshore area’s Community Outreach Group (COG)

• supported Crop Walk to help alleviate hunger in Monmouth, as well as “No Limits Café”, the local restaurant that trains and employs intellectually disabled adults.

• continued synchronous Sunday services for all those unable to join us in-person.

• educated, communicated, and activated Christian stewardship for clean energy use and conservation of scarce resources with information on gardening to support pollinators, and purchasing food grown locally to reduce our carbon footprint.  

• highlighted the work of environmental organizations such as The Sierra Club, EarthJustice, The Wildlife Federation, and Educational Defense Fund through individual donations, actions and publicity.

“We are a small, welcoming congregation that is eager to do our part in all things related to environmental stewardship of the planet. We acknowledge that each of us has a role to play, and our congregation, along with sister congregations in Monmouth County continue to seek ways to honor God’s earth through action. We are honored to be among the select 331 churches in our denomination nationwide that have committed to this important stewardship effort,” said LPC Pastor Diane R. Ford.

Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.

“Lincroft Presbyterian Church is just one of the 331 churches in our denomination that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. This congregation’s activities and commitment brings hope to their community and indeed to the world. We believe that Lincroft Presbyterian Church will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

For more information about Lincroft Presbyterian Church’s EarthCare program, please leave a message for Joanne Irwin at the Church office: 732-741-8921.

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations.